Trinity Vicinity in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Site of Old Cathedral Cemetery
In May 1852, this parcel of land was purchased by Bishop (now Saint) John N. Neumann of Philadelphia. From the early 1850s through the late 1870s, this was the primary cemetery for Wilmington’s Catholics. Those buried here represented all walks of life, from leather workers and housekeepers to elected officials and prominent businessmen. Some Civil War era soldiers were buried here, including Medal of Honor recipient Bernard McCarren. Though the majority of those interred were of Irish descent; there were also many other ethnicities represented, including German, Swiss, African American, Polish and English.
By the early 1880s, Old Cathedral Cemetery had fallen into disrepair and church officials began urging parishioners to move their departed loved ones to a new cemetery on Lancaster Avenue. By the mid-1950s it was assumed that all remains had been removed and the property was sold to the Delaware Hospital for use as a parking lot. When the lot was excavated in 1998 the remains of more than 2,000 individuals were discovered. After respectful and painstaking disinterment by a large team of archaeologists, the remains were reinterred at All Saints Cemetery on Kirkwood Highway. In May 1999, a Catholic Mass and memorial service was held at All Saints to honor and remember those were laid to rest there.
Erected 2006 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-154.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1852.
Location. 39° 44.988′ N, 75° 33.167′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Trinity Vicinity. Marker is at the intersection of West 12th Street and North Madison Street, on the right when traveling west on West 12th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to Wilmington (within shouting distance of this marker); Gunning Bedford Jr. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Revolutionary War Memorial (about 300 feet away); Central YMCA (about 600 feet away); Sacred Heart Parish (about 800 feet away); Samuel Rodmond Smith (about 800 feet away); George Read Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richard Bassett (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,539 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 17, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.